Juneteenth Celebration: June 18 at Dorey Park

Juneteenth celebrates enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation reaching the westernmost Confederate state of Texas. The Proclamation went into effect in 1863, but this news was purposefully withheld from enslaved people until the arrival of Union troops in Galveston Bay, Texas on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day.

Learn more about Juneteenth’s history and traditions.

Juneteenth Neighborhood Block Parties

Wed, June 1, 6-8pm at Highland Springs Rec Area

Wed, June 8, 6-8pm at Pemberton ES

Juneteenth Celebration

On Saturday, June 18, join Henrico Recreation & Parks at Dorey Park for a vendor fair, kids zone, food trucks, and entertainment, including fireworks! FREE and open to the public! No registration needed.

Event Timeline

4-8pm – Vendor Fair & Kids Zone

4-9:30pm – Entertainment & Food Trucks

9:15pm – Fireworks

Juneteenth Block Party: June 8 at Pemberton ES

Celebrate ahead of the Juneteenth holiday with music, food, and fun. Activities include inflatables, DJ Brannu, Elite Eats & Treats, and free ice cream (while supplies last). Information: [email protected]

Juneteenth Celebrations:

Juneteenth Block Party: June 1 at Highland Springs Rec Area

Juneteenth Celebration: June 18 at Dorey Park

Juneteenth Block Party: Highland Springs

Celebrate ahead of the Juneteenth holiday with music, food, and fun. Activities include DJ Brannu, Sparklz Cheer and Danz, inflatables, Elite Eats & Treats, and free ice cream (while supplies last)! Information: [email protected]

Juneteenth Celebrations:

Juneteenth Block Party: June 8 at Pemberton ES

Juneteenth Celebration: June 18 at Dorey Park

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States in May 1843. It also marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869 by Chinese immigrants who laid the foundation for this project.

Memorial Day [CLOSED]

Learn the history and meaning behind Memorial Day

Mother’s Day

Learn more about Mother’s Day

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. The day, which falls on Friday, May 5 in 2023, is also known as Battle of Puebla Day. While it is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations.

St. Patrick’s Days

Patrick’s Day observes the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking, and a whole lot of green.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organization specific.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent on the Christian calendar. Its name is derived from the symbolic use of ashes to signify penitence. It takes place immediately after the excesses of the two days of Carnival that take place in Northern Europe and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.